Spray attachment for straight dental handpieces



SPRAY ATTACHMENT FOR STRAIGHT DENTAL HANDPIECES Filed March 7, 1955INVENTOR. Ray W. Brown.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 6 SPRAY ATTACHMENT FOR STRAIGHT DENTALHANDPIECES Ray W. Brown, Denver, Colo., assignor to Densco,Incorporated, Denver, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Application March7, 1955, Serial No. 492,562

Claims. (Cl. 32-28) This invention relates to dental handpiece tools ofa general type extensively in use, and more particularly to theso-called straight handpiece tool characterized by a tubular barrelmember mounting a power-rotatable cutting element at and in extensionbeyond its free end in coaxial relation with the barrel, and has as anobject to provide a spray attachment susceptible of practical operativeassociation with a straight dental handpiece for the delivery of air,Water, or any appropriate fluid or mixture of fluids to and withcooling, lubricating, and flushing effect upon the area being worked bythe cutting element.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment forstraight dental handpieces that is adapted for expedient operativeassociation with conventional such handpieces without modification orreworking of the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment forstraight dental handpieces manipulable with and in mounted relation onthe associated handpiece without appreciable alteration of theprocedures and techniques pertinent to established and customary use ofthe latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment forstraight dental handpieces that is readily adjustable in mountedrelation with an associated handpiece for selective direction of itsfluid output to preferred operative correlation with diverse cuttingelements employable with the handpiece.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment forstraight dental handpieces that is readily connectible in mountedrelation on an associated handpiece with and for delivery to the cuttingelement of the handpiece from any available source or supply of fluidunder pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment forstraight dental handpieces that is alternatively adjustable with respectto the hand position of a manipulator of the tool assembly to suit thepreference of the user. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction and operative combination of elements constituting a sprayattachment for straight dental handpieces.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spray attachment ofthe character described that is relatively simple and inexpensive ofproduction, convenient of application, removal, and replacement inoperative association with conventional handpieces extensively in use,

secure against inadvertent displacement from adjusted use positionduring manipulation of the associated handpiece, positive and efficientin attainment of the ends for which designed, and rugged and durablethroughout long periods of practical use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists inthe construction, arrangement, and operative combination of elements ashereinafter'set forth,

2,776,487 Patented Jan. 8, 1957 pointed out in my claims, andillustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a sideelevation of a typical straight dental handpiece with a preferredembodiment of the spray attachment of the invention mounted thereon inposition for practical use, alternative positions of certain elements ofthe attachment being indicated by broken lines.

Figure 2 is a cross section, on a relatively enlarged scale, takensubstantially on the indicated line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section, on the same scale as Figure 2, takensubstantially on the indicated line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a cross section, on the same scale as Figure 2, takensubstantially on the indicated line 4-4 of Figure 1. t

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the elements comprising the sprayattachment of the invention as assembled in their position of use on andprior to their association with the dental handpiece.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, detail section through certain associatedelements of the improvement alone, taken substantially on the indicatedline 6-6 of Figure 2.

The advent of high-speed equipment, modern techniques, and improvedcutting elements in the field of dentistry has emphasized the importanceof cooling, lubricating, and flushing the area being worked by powertools during and throughout the working thereof, and the instantinvention is hence directed to the provision of practical meansadaptable to use with the typical straight dental handpieces extensivelyin service for the delivery of a suitable fluid spray to the areaengaged by and during the operation of the cutting element carried bythe handpiece.

Representative of straight dental handpieces, whereof the structuralorganization applicable to mounting and driving of an associated cuttingelement is immaterial for an understanding of the present invention,wherewith the improved spray attachment is designed to function, anexterior, generally-tubular sheath 10 characteristically constitutingthe grip and manipulating facility of conventional such tools is shownas terminating at its free end in a coaxial, outwardly-convergent,integral nose 11 which connects at its base with the adjacentcylindrical portion of the sheath through a short cylindrical fillet orcollar- 12 of less diameter than the sheath and in shouldered relation,as at 13, with the latter. The free end of the nose 11 is boredcoaxially of the sheath to receive and rotatably accommodate the stem 14of a dental cutting:

element 15 interchangeably connected interiorly of the nose or sheath indriven relation with the powered elements enclosed by the sheath and theend of the latter remote from the nose is adapted for detachableconnection with the power-transmitting features of a dental engine,whereby to drive the element 15 through the handpiece, all as iscommonpractice in the art. The tapered nose 11 and annular fillet 12 of thesheath 10 commonly serve as a seat for adjuncts, such as a contra anglehead, whereby the handpiece may be adapted to various specific uses, andas a means for securing such adjuncts in operative relation with thesheath an internally-threaded hole 16 radially of the sheath through theannular fillet 12 is provided for coaction with a set screw 17 removablyand replaceably engaged therewith.

In accordance with and to give effect to the principles of theinvention, the improved spray attachment is secured to and in operativerelation with the sheath 10 by means of a first rigid annular band 18sized to telescope over and to seat on and about the fillet 12 in sideengagement against the shoulder 13 and a second rigid annular band 19sized to slidably engage over and about the cylindrical end of thesheath 10 inwardly'adi c t said h d nd 1. 1 0 i for h u the band 18 inposition to register with the hole 16 when the band is seated on thefillet 12 so that the screw 17 may be engaged through the so-registeredholes to lock the band 18 to its seat and against displacement, eitherangularly or axially, relative to the sheath. An integral boss 18outstands radially from the side of the band 18' opposite to the hole20, a similar boss 19 integrally outstands radially from the band 19,and the said bosses 18' and 19' are correspondingly bored to slidablyreceive a short length 21 of rigid, tubular flow line therein fixed tospacedly parallel the axis common to the bands 18 and 19 and to securesaid bands in spaced, parallel relation. The flow line length 21terminates flush with the side of the boss 18' remote from the band 19and projects beyond the boss 19' in a direction away from the band 18 ashort distance as a nipple receivable in one end of a flexible tube 22.The end of the flow line length 21 within the boss 13' receives andsuitably mounts one end of a jet nozzle 23, of appropriate small bore,which, in flow communication with the length 21, extends said length toapproximately the end of the nose 11 when the bands 18 and 19 aremounted on the sheath as shown in Figure 1, and said nozzle 23 is ofsuch stiffly pliant material, or so mounted in the end of the length 21,as to accommodate adjustment of the nozzle free end toward and away fromsaid nose 11, as indicated by broken lines in Figure 1, to direct thedischarge from the tip of said nozzle to the area being worked by thecutting element 15, irrespective of the form or type of said element.The bands 13 and 19, together with the flow line length 21 and nozzle23, comprise a unitary assembly slidably engageable over the free endportion of the sheath 1! to seat the band 18 on the fillet 12, the band19 sliding over and along the adjacent end portion of the sheath, inwhich disposition the holes 16 and are registered, the screw 17 engagedtherein, and the unit is then secured to and for manipulation with thehandpiece ready for use when the tube 22 is connected with and toreceive flow from any source or supply of fluid, such as water, air, ora mixture thereof, under pressure. Utilizing the unitary assemblyincluding the bands 18 and 19 with the tube 22 directly connected fromthe flow line length 21 to the source or supply of fluid, said tube maydiverge from the sheath 10 as shown by broken lines in Figure 1 to passunder the hand of an operator manipulating the handpiece.

An alternative disposition of the tube 22 relative to the sheath 10Within the contemplation of the invention is shown by full lines inFigure l as comprising a band 24 formed with an apertured radial boss24, similar to or identical with the band 19 and its boss 19, slidablyreceivable over the end of the sheath 10 remote from the nose 11. Arigid flow line elbow 25 has one arm fixed through the aperture of theboss 24 parallel to the axis of the sheath to provide a nipple opposedto that at the inner end of the length 21 and to dispose the other elbowarm radially of the sheath, and the tube 22, in an appropriate length,connects the nipple of the elbow 25 with that of the length 21 closelyadjacent and parallel to the sheath 10 to function in an obvious mannerfor transmission of fluid under pressure to the nozzle 23 when theradial arm of the elbow is flow-connected, as by means of a flexibletube 22', with a source or supply of the fluid. Utilizing the band 24,elbow 25, and tube 22' in the arrangement shown and just abovedescribed, the tube 22 may come within the grip of the hand manipulatingthe handpiece and the line 22 serving the attachment is back of the handposition in an arrangement preferred by some operators, it beingimmaterial to the proper functioning of the attachment which arrangementof feed to the length 21 is employed.

Obv o s y, the ttachm n may b ppl d t n operat e re t tm o the h nd iecea sho n in Fi ure 1 or a separat ad un t in term as qrd us to Figure 5,for assembly with the handpiece of the ultimate user as hereinabovedescribed. Mounted and connected for use as above set forth, fiow offluid to and through the nozzle 23 under the control of the customaryvalves included in the flow system may be directed and applied to thearea being worked by the cutting element 15 to minimize overheating ofthe area, to cool and lubricate the cutting agencies, and to flush thearea clear of chips and cuttings, all with convenience, practicality,and manifest advantage.

Since changes, variations, and modifications in the form, construction,and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, I wish to be understood asbeing limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than byany details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, a straight dental handpiece having a tubular sheathformed with a coaxial, tapered nose constituting the free operating endof the tool and a cylindrical fillet in shouldered relation with thesheath about the junction of the sheath and nose, an annular band seateddirectly on and detachably secured against displacement from saidfillet, a second annular band telescopically about said sheath spacedlyadjacent said first band, a short length of rigid flow line fixed to andextending between said bands exteriorly adjacent and parallel to theaxis of the sheath, a jet nozzle extension from said length at itsconnection to the first band terminating in a free open end adjacent andadjustable toward and away from the end of said nose, a nipple extensionof said length beyond said second band, and a flexible tube for thetransmission of fluids under pressure detachably engaged with saidnipple.

2. In combination, a straight dental handpiece having a tubular sheathformed with a coaxial, tapered nose constituting the free operating endof the tool and a cylindrical fillet in shouldered relation with thesheath about the junction of the sheath and nose, an annular band seateddirectly on and detachably secured against displacement from saidfillet, a second annular band telescopically about said sheath spacedlyadjacent said first band, a short length of rigid flow line fixed to andextending between said bands exteriorly adjacent and parallel to theaxis of the sheath, a jet nozzle extension from said length at itsconnection to the first band terminating in a free open end adjacent andadjustable toward and away from the end of said nose, a nipple extensionof said length beyond said second band, a rigid flow line elbowdetachably mounted on said sheath inwardly adjacent the end thereofremote from said nose and in such spaced alignment of one of its armswith said length as to oppose the open end of the same to said nipple, aflexible tube for the transmission of fluids under pressure detachablyconnecting between said nipple and the end of the elbow thereto opposed,and a second such flexible tube connecting the other arm of the elbowwith a source of fluid under pressure.

3. In combination, a straight dental handpiece having a tubular sheathformed with a coaxial, tapered nose constituting the free operating endof the tool, a cylindrical fillet in shouldered relation with the sheathabout the junction of the sheath and nose, and a screw threadedlythrough and radially of said fillet, an annular band slidablyseated onsaid fillet, a hole in said band registered with the position of andtraversed by said screw, whereby said screw is applied to detachablysecure the band against displacement from the fillet, a second annularband telescopically about said sheath spacedly adjacent said first band,apertured bosses outstanding radially from said bands in alignmentlongitudinally of the sheath, a short length of rigid flow line fixed inand through said ba ses Paral el tn th axis o th h th a is n zlextsasisa tram said len t a i s c nn ct on in th b ss f the first bandterminating in a free open end adjacent and adjustable toward and awayfrom the end of said nose, a nipple extension of said length beyond theboss of the second band, and a flexible tube for the transmission offluids under pressure detachably engaged with said nipple.

4. In combination, a straight dental handpiece having a tubular sheathformed with a coaxial, tapered nose constituting the free operating endof the tool, a cylindrical fillet in shouldered relation with the sheathabout the junction of the sheath and nose, and a screw threadedlythrough and radially of said fillet, an annular band slidably seated onsaid fillet, a hole in said band registered with the position of andtraversed by said screw, whereby said screw is applied to detachablysecure the band against displacement from the fillet, a second annularband telescopically about said sheath spacedly adjacent said first band,apertured bosses outstanding radially from said bands in alignmentlongitudinally of the sheath, a short length of rigid flow line fixed inand through said bosses parallel to the axis of the sheath, a jet nozzleextension from said length at its connection to the boss of the firstband terminating in a free open end adjacent and adjustable toward andaway from the end of said nose, a nipple extension of said length beyondthe boss of the second band, a third annular band telescopically aboutthe end of the sheath remote from said nose, an apertured bossoutstanding radially from said third band adapted to alignlongitudinally of the sheath with the bosses of the first and secondbands, a rigid flow line elbow fixedly engaged through said boss of thethird band in such spaced alignment of one of its arms with said lengthas to oppose the open end of the same to the nipple, a flexible tube forthe transmission of fluids under pressure detachably connecting betweensaid nipple and the end of the elbow thereto opposed, and a second suchflexible tube connecting the other arm of the elbow with a source offluid under pressure.

5. A spray attachment for detachable operative association with astraight dental handpiece having a tubular sheath formed with a coaxial,tapered nose constituting the free operating end of the tool and acylindrical fillet in shouldered relation with the sheath about thejunction of the sheath and nose, comprising a first annular band adaptedto slidably seat on end to be detachably secured to said fillet, asecond annular band telescopically engageable over said sheath adjacentthe fillet, a short length of rigid flow line fixed exteriorly to andinterconnecting said bands in spaced, parallel, coaxial relation and ina disposition parallel to the axis common to the bands, a jet nozzleextension at the end of said length connected to the first bandterminating in a free open end at the side of the first band remote fromthe second band adjustable into and out of alignment with said length, anipple extension of said length beyond said second band at the sidethereof remote from the first band, and a flexible tube for thetransmission of fluids under pressure detachably connected with saidnipple.

6. The organization according to claim 5, wherein a screw is threadedlyengaged through and radially of the fillet and the first annular band isprovided with a hole accommodative of said screw, whereby to detachablysecure said band on the fillet.

7. The organization according to claim 5, wherein apertured bossesoutstand radially from said first and second bands for alignmentparallel to the axis common to said bands, and said flow line length isfixed in and through said bosses.

8. The organization according to claim 5, wherein apertured bossesoutstand radially from said first and second bands for alignmentparallel to the axis common to said bands, said flow line length isfixed in and through said bosses to terminate at one end in the sideplane of the boss of the first band remote from the second hand and toproject at its other end beyond the side plane of the boss of the secondhand remote from the first band, and said jet nozzle is engaged in flowcommunication with the end of said length within the boss of the firstband.

9. A spray attachment for detachable operative association with astraight dental handpiece having a tubular sheath formed with a coaxial,tapered nose constituting the free operating end of the tool and acylindrical fillet in shouldered relation with the sheath about thejunction of the sheath and nose, comprising a first annular band adaptedto slidably seat on and to be detachably secured to said fillet, asecond annular band telescopically engageable over said sheath adjacentthe fillet, a short length of rigid flow line fixed exteriorly to andinterconnecting said bands in spaced, parallel, coaxial relation and ina disposition parallel to the axis common to the bands, a jet nozzleextension at the end of said length connected to the first bandterminating in a free open end at the side of the first band remote fromthe second band adjustable into and out of alignment with said length, anipple extension of said length beyond said second band at the sidethereof remote from the first band, a third annular band telescopicallyengageable over said sheath adjacent the end thereof ro mote from itsnose, a rigid flow line elbow fixed exteriorly to said third band withone of its arms parallel to the band axis and terminating in a nippleextension and the other of its arms radial of the band, a flexible tubefor the transmission of fluids under pressure detachably connectingbetween the nipple extensions of said length and said elbow, and asecond such flexible tube connectible between the radial arm of theelbow and a source of fluid under pressure.

10. The organization according to claim 9, wherein apertured bossesoutstand radially from said first, second, and third annular bands foralignment parallel to an axis common to said bands, and said flow linelength and said elbow are fixed in and through the bosses'of the bandsrespectively associated therewith.

Burnett Oct. 14, 1919 Mulvany Feb. 11, 1941

